Holiday Head Start

Like I said in yesterday’s amazing kickoff to my holiday coverage – I’m bringing you 50 days of holiday gift idea coverage. Today however, I thought I’d take a step back from the gifts themselves and take a look at greeting cards and gift wrap ideas – the type of things you may spontaneously buy while traversing the aisles of your grocery store or if you’re more committed, may scope out at your local giftware shop. Today I’ve rounded up six of my favourite creative ideas for the season when it comes to greetings and wrap so you can get that holiday prep out of the way.

SUCK UK Raunchy Wrapping Paper – $14.37 @ Amazon.ca
Got a squeamish aunt to shop for? A best friend you want to make smile? A sibling you want to embarrass? Then pick up one of these supersized sheets of cheeky wrapping paper – it’s all pretty, festive stripes on one side, and cheesecake, half-naked dudes on the other. For the record, this paper also comes in a ladies’ edition, although the guys one just has to be funnier – whether gifting it to a guy or a girl. Or if you’re feeling really daring, just eschew the fake regular wrap altogether and let the guy collage sit tantalizingly under the tree.

Printstagram – $25 for 24-36 Custom CardsI know that photo cards aren’t exactly the world’s most amazing innovation – we’ve all received posed photos of our relatives with wordart seasonal greetings slapped on top. But for those looking for a slightly hipper take on the photo greeting card gambit, consider checking out Printstagr.am, a print shop created by Instagrammers that will take your favourite wintery, softly filtered photo and slap it onto a card of your choice. Available in three different sizes with international shipping, it’s a minimalist way to send your heartfelt wishes this holiday season.

Custom Kraft Wrapping Paper – From $39 / Roll @ Jukebox PrintWrapping paper is beautiful – but most of it is non-recyclable (that being said, check your city’s advisories as many are making efforts to find ways to dispose of the shiny stuff in an eco-friendly manner). Kraft paper is genius because it IS recyclable, and is often made from recycled materials. It also gives your gifts a cute, DIY feel. Jukebox Print is technically a commercial printer, but you can work with them on creating a custom roll in ivory kraft or traditional brown kraft for your family’s use. If you’ve got a budding graphic designer in the family, have them create a festive print – or just design a custom monogram for your family this season. Your gifts will seriously stand out and you won’t feel any guilt once they’re unwrapped. Genius.

Up With Paper Pop Up Cards – $5.99 eachYour greeting cards will make a serious pow when opened if they’re one of Up With Paper’s 3D varieties. The cards are available in over a dozen styles – from minimalist modern designs like a globular snowflake or a snowy village silhouette to more traditional designs, like Santa loading up his sleigh or a kitten causing mischief under the tree. They are available in specialty gift shops across Canada, but you can also order online from the website Sadie’s House. The cards are a little on the pricier side, so save them for those most special folks on your list, like your parents, your boss, or a faraway friend you’re missing this season.

Chalkboard Wishes Paper Gift Bags – From $0.65 each @ Creative BagGift bags are a pretty ingenious solution to gift wrap conundrums. They hold awkwardly-shaped items, look good even if you’re miserable at wrapping things, and they’re reusable if you’re gentle with them. There are dozens of options out there, but I like the look (and price) of these pretty, vintage-inspired hand-drawn bags. Available in three sizes, they have a classy yet cute style and if you buy multiples of all three, can tie in your gift wrapping motif. If you care about such things. Not saying you do.

Rifle Paper Co. Greeting Cards – $4.50 USD each or $16 for a Box of 8Not to play favourites, but I should probably preface this write-up by telling you that last year I went a little crazy upon stumbling upon Rifle Paper Co.’s beautiful boxed greeting cards and bought approximately six boxes of them. I was familiar with the brand’s signature precious, retro-inspired, hand-drawn look, but I don’t think I’d ever become fully conscious of who Rifle Paper Co. was till then – of course by that point, it was too late to share with you for the holiday season. Created by married couple Anna and Nathan Bond, the brand started as a humble home business in 2009 and has since exploded into an international phenomenon – far beyond greeting cards, they now have everything from art prints to cell phone cases to gorgeous gift ideas. But I simply couldn’t do a greetings & wrap post without touching on their beautiful, expansive collection of cards, which are available in many gift shops across Canada – you can view their full stockist list here (scroll down!), although recognize they’re also online at major retailers like Indigo. Whether you want something straightforward and sweet like a festive greeting, or something more whimsical like a Wes Anderson-esque snowy hilltop scene or a collection of cards inspired by The Nutcracker, look no further – these cards are truly winners (and available for much more than Christmas!)

Now I want to give one of you a head start on your holiday packaging and planning. I’m giving away a collection of Rifle Paper Co. greeting cards to one lucky winner. If you’re interested in winning your choice of festive wishes, here’s how to enter:

1) Visit the Rifle Paper Co. website and then tell me in the comments below by November 14, 2014 – Which holiday greeting card collection would you pick if you were the lucky winner? Hint: You’ll have to click the ‘Holiday’ button at the top of the Greeting Cards page to peruse their holiday offerings.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 15, 2014 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Follow @riflepaperco on Instagramand comment on your favourite photo of theirs. Leave a link back to the photo you’ve commented on in a separate post below to earn one extra entry into the draw.

Instagram – @wrightholl
I liked and commented on: 6 days ago · Rifle Paper Co
All of our holiday products are now available including our personalized holiday collection with photo cards, illustrated, & standard greetings. Place a personalized holiday order now through Nov. 3rd and receive 10% off your entire order. #riflepaperco